System76: Apple of the Linux world?

System76 is a company that sells hardware intended for use with Linux-based systems and that has been standing out not only for its physical products but also for its operating system, Pop_OS!

Pop, which is based on Ubuntu, has been gaining a lot of popularity among users because of its fluid user experience, cohesive UI and the features provided by the Pop shell extension. All of this together make up Pop’s characteristic visual identity.

Knowing this, here are some reasons that prove the great potential of System76 to come to develop a product as cohesive and professional as those distributed by Apple.

Hardware fully compatible with software

One of the “Achilles’ heels” of people who use Linux at home or in offices is the fact that some chip and card companies don’t develop drivers for their products specifically for use with Linux distributions. It is possible to use generic drivers most of the time but there may be cases where the generic driver is not 100% compatible or does not support a specific functionality of that device.

The fact that System76 produces its own hardware makes it possible for a product to reach the consumer with 0% incompatibilities, ready to use, without the risk of having to waste some time with configurations, research in forums and command lines.

Today the company produces desktops, notebooks, mini PCs and keyboards for the general public, having the potential to launch new products and build an integrated and consistent ecosystem.

Personalized user experience

Everyone knows that the user experience is not just about a pretty theme and a flashy icon pack. There is research about the construction of an interface and how the user can behave in it. Apple is impeccable in this regard, but Pop_OS has already shown that it can have as much quality.

Pop_OS uses the GNOME graphical environment, which manages to strike a good balance between simplicity and ease of use versus level of customization. These features, together with initiatives such as Pop Shell and COSMIC, make even greater UI/UX improvements to be expected in the future. Maybe some integration with some Android launcher?

It’s too early to know what System76’s goal is and what they plan for the future of their products. However, the great potential they have in their hands to deliver a user experience that is different from what we are used to and worthy of the big technology companies is undeniable.